Having lost closer Jose Valverde to free agency, the Astros entered last month’s winter meetings in need of bullpen help. They also sought a third baseman with proven power to help compensate for the departure of Miguel Tejada.

A quality starting pitcher was also a must, even if that meant having to convince team owner Drayton McLane to grant a little budget flexibility, which he did.

After acquiring righthander Brett Myers, third baseman Pedro Feliz and relievers Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom, Wade believes the Astros have adequately addressed their main areas of concern. Save for a backup lefthanded bat in the outfield, the Astros are likely done shopping.

That said, the Astros’ biggest offseason move did not involve a player.

Brad Mills, a longtime coach with Montreal, Philadelphia and Boston, will make his managerial debut in the majors with the Astros. He replaces Dave Clark, who was promoted from third-base coach to interim manager after Cecil Cooper’s firing late last season.

Mills, who managed in the minors, will be the Astros’ fifth skipper over the past seven years. The job promises to challenge him.

Leaner and younger

Mills takes over a team that went 74-88 in 2009 and has lost key players as it shoots for a leaner payroll and younger roster. He appears unfazed.

"You look at this ballclub, and there’s a lot of talent in this ballclub," Mills said. "And that breeds excitement."

And it’s not like the recent additions don’t help compensate some.

The addition of Myers — who, when healthy, is capable of pitching 200-plus innings and winning 12-14 games — adds serious bite to the pitching rotation.

In parting ways with Valverde, since signed by Detroit after declining arbitration, the Astros lost one of the best closers in the majors over the past three seasons. The team also had to let go of reliever LaTroy Hawkins (1.71 ERA in 89 games) because of financial considerations.

No more Tejada

The biggest — and toughest — spot to fill for the Astros will be the one vacated by Tejada, who last year set franchise shortstop records for hits (199), doubles (46) and batting average (.313) to go with 86 RBIs.

"We’re going to have to pick up the slack from an offensive standpoint, what we’re missing with Tejada, by having everybody step up and do a little bit more," Wade said. "From a leadership standpoint, it’s sort of the same thing."

While the team is confident Tommy Manzella, Tejada’s likely replacement at shortstop, has all the defensive tools, he enters the fray as an unknown on offense.

Feliz, a reliable third baseman with a knack for producing runs and capable of 20-homer seasons, will be expected to lend support on both ends.

Tandem at third possible

"We had to do something to help our offense," Wade said. "The most logical spot was at third, and Feliz, we believe, as a standalone or as a tandem with Geoff Blum, addresses that."

Mills believes a solid pitching corps coupled with improved defense will help the Astros contend.

"When you’re able to stay in games with pitching and defense, we may be able to put something together and score enough runs," Mills said.

Wade seems pleased with the group that will begin gathering in Kissimmee, Fla., come Feb. 20, even as he and assistant general managers David Gottfried and Ricky Bennett continue negotiations with arbitration-eligible players.

Today, the team is set to exchange figures with Bourn, Byrdak, Lindstrom, Pence, Quintero and Rodriguez.

The Astros realize a lot will have to go right this coming season for the club to be a serious contender in the National League Central. To that end, Wade said the team will need its players to be physically and mentally prepared.